Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics requires four years of full-time study. The course is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

An honours degree can be completed in four years by undertaking additional units, including a research project at honours level, in Year four.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
• Honours

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Some places are available to students who have completed at least two years of an approved degree with a GPA normally of at least a credit average, and which is inclusive of studies in biochemistry and physiology to at least Second Year. These students are granted two years of credit and begin the program of study at Third Year.

Applicants applying for Third Year entry must submit with their application a statement outlining their interest in the course and profession, and evidence of any relevant employment experience. Applicants will be ranked for admission on the basis of a selection score which is a combination of academic merit (70%) and assessment of their statement of interest and experience (30%).

Course aims

This course aims to educate professionals who are able to apply scientific principles and integrate knowledge and skills of nutrition, dietetics and other human sciences in order to promote health and prevent illness in communities and individuals.

The first two years of the course introduce students to the behavioural and biosciences which they will progressively apply to the study of food and nutritional sciences, including the study of social and ecological issues in relation to food. In the final two years there is increasing exposure to professional nutrition and dietetic practice, including at least 21 weeks of supervised placement.

This course, accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia, prepares graduates for employment in a wide variety of settings including: patient care and education in hospitals, Food Service, nutrition and health education in community health services, Public Health nutrition, food and nutrition policy, private practice and consultancy, education and training, food industry, Health Promotion and nutrition research. 

This course is founded on teaching and learning practices designed to encourage life long learning in the practice of nutrition and dietetics.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the course, students are expected to have

• obtained the knowledge, skills and attitudes to undertake quality nutrition and dietetic practice in a range of settings
• developed independent learning and reflective practice skills to allow capacity for self-evaluation and management that is strategic and focuses on quality nutrition and dietetic practice
• the skills to practice in a changing work environment in which accountability at the individual and organisational level is becoming increasingly important
• obtained an understanding of the principles of primary Health Care and the impact of social, political, economic, environmental and cultural factors on Food Choice and the health of individuals, families and communities
• understood the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to the management of nutritional problems and the promotion of nutritional health and well being
• obtained an understanding of the scope and potential of the discipline of nutrition and dietetics 
• understood the importance of a commitment to The Nutrition and dietetic discipline including individual and collective professional development
• the ability to promote informed and critical questioning and thinking.
  

Program of study

To qualify for The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study. Except with the permission of the Faculty Board:

• The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics must be completed: within seven consecutive years for students entering in Year 1; within six consecutive years for students entering in Year 2; within four consecutive years for students entering in Year 3; or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board;
• a student may not proceed to a higher year unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year's topics.

Core - Year 1 topics

 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1304  Communication for Health Practitioners  (4.5 units)
 NUTD1105  Food Systems  (4.5 units)
 NUTD1106  Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health  (4.5 units)

Select either CHEM1101 & CHEM1102, or CHEM1201 & CHEM1202

 CHEM1101  Chemistry 1A  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1102  Chemistry 1B  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1201  Introduction to Chemistry A  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1202  Introduction to Chemistry B  (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units of elective topics from the Elective - Year 1 & 2 list

Core - Year 2 topics

 BIOL2771  Biochemistry  (4.5 units)
 MMED2931  Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED2932  Integrative Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED3933  Biochemistry of Human Disease  (4.5 units)
 NUTD2101  Nutrition Across the Lifecycle  (4.5 units)
 NUTD2102  Food Products and Preparation  (4.5 units)
 NUTD2105  Social & Ecological Perspectives on Food Choice  (4.5 units)
                  
Plus 4.5 units of elective topics from the Elective - Year 1 & 2 list

Elective - Year 1 & 2 topics

 DSRS1202  Lifespan Development  (4.5 units)
 DSRS1206  Health Issues and Disability  (4.5 units)
 DSRS1209  Human Diversity  (4.5 units)
 DSRS1210  Interpersonal and Group Skills  (4.5 units)
 ESOL1101  English as a Second Language 1  (4.5 units) International students only
 HLTH1003  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1004  Human Bioscience  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1101  Health Promotion for Health Professionals  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1305  Health Practitioner Practice 1  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1306  Health Practitioner Practice 2  (4.5 units)
 MMED1005  How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure  (4.5 units)
 PSYC1101  Psychology 1A  (4.5 units)
 PSYC1102  Psychology 1B  (4.5 units)

or other elective topic approved by the Course Coordinator.

Core - Year 3 topics

 NUTD3101  Fundamentals of Nutritional Epidemiology  (4.5 units)
 NUTD3102  Nutrients Role and Function  (4.5 units)
 NUTD3103  The Nutrition Care Process  (4.5 units)
 NUTD3104  Communication and Nutritional Counselling  (4.5 units)
 NUTD3106  Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics  (9 units)
 NUTD3107  Public Health and Community Nutrition  (4.5 units)
 NUTD3108  Professional and Organisational Management  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 4 topics

 NUTD4101  Food Service: Theory and Practice  (4.5 units)
 NUTD4102  Research Methods & Skills in Evidence Based Nutrition Practice  (9 units)
 NUTD4106  Independent Studies in Nutrition and Dietetics  (4.5 units)
 NUTD4107  Clinical Placement in Nutrition and Dietetics  (9 units)
 NUTD4108  Community/Public Health Placement in Nutrition and Dietetics  (9 units)

Prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress may be constituted by:

• the award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or;
• failure to complete the course within a specified number of consecutive years as follows: within seven consecutive years for students entering The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in Year 1; within six consecutive years for students entering The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in Year 2; within four consecutive years for students entering The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in Year 3.

Honours

Students who have completed Year 3 of The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics to a sufficiently high standard may be invited to enrol in The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) program in Year 4. Other students may be admitted at the discretion of the Faculty Board, subject to specific conditions. Enrolment in the honours program is subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Students who are accepted into the Honours program will be required to satisfactorily complete 42 units in the following program of study in Year 4.

Refer to Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)